A blog celebrating my journey through womanhood and everything that goes with it.

Friday, August 16, 2013

Francis is our neighborhood's special needs person. He spends most of his day hanging out at the corner store, munching on potato chips and washing it down with a bottle of coke. He is always willing to share a smile and a high five to anybody who greets him.

Francis has very limited speech, but he communicates with his own sign language. He says he has 10 siblings, all of whom are married. When asked if he plans to get married too, he bursts into a hearty laugh and shakes his head.

He loves the store owner's delivery bike (a bicycle with a cart hooked to it). Despite his handicap, he pretty well gets to pedal that bike halfway up the street and back. His childlike pleasures are a sight to behold. He never asks for anything extra. He is content with whatever 20 pesos can buy.

Happiness for Francis is so simple - potato chips, crackers or a chocolate cupcake, a bottle of coke, a bike ride and a high five.

Seeing him every day humbles me. Here I am, without any handicap, able to converse fluently in 4 languages, with children of my own, and yet I still find it hard to appreciate the blessings that have been given to me.

If you happen to see Francis, look into the eyes of this "Child for Life" and feel the heartfelt message:

this is what life back in the Philippines, we may not have all the things that other people have, at the end of the day we still share a sweet smile of contentment. he is an admirable man because despite his condition he still make people smile with his contagious and real smile. Thanks for sharing this story

It's such a great feeling to see that he's appreciative of all that he has. This is more of a reason why I try not to complain and appreciate all that I have. Thanks for sharing!http://fabulousperks.blogspot.com

We have a young friend (my son's friend) who is a special needs child and his parents were told he would never live longer than high school (middle school) and to see Francis and how long he has lived is very encouraging. Give Francis a big hug from us.

About Me

Left the corporate world to pursue a lifelong dream of being a successful writer. I am a daughter, a sister, a wife, a mom and grandmom enjoying everyday with faith and love in my heart as I go on this journey called LIFE.

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Daily Inspiration

I will persist until I succeed.

Nor will I allow yesterday's success to lull me into today's complacency, for this is the great foundation of failure. I will forget the happenings of the day that is gone, whether they were good or bad, and greet the new sun with confidence that this will be the best day of my life.

So long as there is breath in me, that long will I persist. For now I know one of the greatest principles of success; if I persist long enough I will win.